Elmer Bernstein quotes

Elmer Bernstein was an American composer renowned for his work in film scores and soundtracks. His music defined the sound of classic Hollywood and enriched over 150 movies, including "The Magnificent Seven" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." He influenced generations of composers and remains celebrated for his versatility and innovation. Here are 10 of his quotes:

I would do the occasional score. I thought it was the most thrilling thing. It was instant. You made the music and they played it right away to millions of people. I found it thrilling.

Elmer Bernstein

There's no way I can compete with someone who can write rap or rock and roll. Nor do I wish to. But I've always kept up to date with music changes. I worked very hard not to type myself.

Elmer Bernstein

I made my way on to a grey list, a black list even. That's something I'm very proud of, actually.

Elmer Bernstein

I did 10 years of comedies and 10 years of Westerns. I really like to stay away from car chases. I prefer the more intimate film. You have a much more direct association with the emotions.

Elmer Bernstein

One of the things that happens in the business is that success is a very strange thing in that if you are involved in something very successful the next person wants you to repeat it.

Elmer Bernstein

Today you have something like A Film by Joe Harry. That is patently asinine and ridiculous.

Elmer Bernstein

Victor Young had been hired to write the score for the dances of The Ten Commandments but he became very ill. You were then hired to write the score. But at the same time you'd written The Man with the Golden Arm score.

Elmer Bernstein

I thought in terms of the enthusiasm of doing it. I didn't think about whether I was ready.

Elmer Bernstein

When you stop to think about it, so many films today where we don't have that kind of contact are films about alienation. About alienated feelings. We are much more alienated from our colleagues nowadays.

Elmer Bernstein